To celebrate the start of Lunar Year 4701, which according to the traditional Chinese calendar this year fell on Feb. 1, representatives of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office (TECRO) in the United States participated in a host of activities in the Washington, D.C. area.
On New Year's Eve, Jan. 31, TECRO deputy representative Lyushun Shen visited 12 Chinese-American organizations in Washington's Chinatown to celebrate the coming of the New Year. Dr. Shen was accompanied by Ms. Yeni Wong, chairwoman of the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association (CCBA) of Washington, D.C., and Dr. Wu Ho-yi, Mr. Li Lien-shun, and Mr. Chen Ho-hong, members of the Taiwan government's Overseas Chinese Affairs Commission. Deputy Representative Shen expressed appreciation to all the Chinatown organizations for their continued support for the Republic of China on Taiwan.
Students from TECRO's own Chinese language school joined celebrations at the Lakeforest Shopping Center in Gaithersburg, Maryland on Feb. 2. The students performed traditional lion dances and puppet shows.
The CCBA will organize a traditional Lunar New Year parade on Sunday, Feb. 9. in Chinatown and around the MCI Center.
The annual event will feature traditional dragon and lion dances, firecrackers, martial arts demonstrations, and floats. Lunar Year 4701 is the year of the sheep.
